Our first Christmas together as a book club (December, 2001)- isn’t it ironic the book Debbie H chose was Skipping Christmas? We did not skip it, but instead chose to start a tradition of a gift exchange based on the contents of the book. Snowmen of all shapes and sizes were strategically chosen and wrapped, hoping to please the recipient.
This book was later made into a motion picture (Christmas 
with the Kranks)- our book club knows how to pick the popular books…many of our later choices were made into movies as well. But we know the book is always better than the movie, don’t we?
with the Kranks)- our book club knows how to pick the popular books…many of our later choices were made into movies as well. But we know the book is always better than the movie, don’t we?"Luther and Nora Krank are fed up with the chaos of Christmas. The endless shopping lists, the frenzied dashes through the mall, the hassle of decorating the tree... where has all the joy gone? This year, celebrating seems like too much effort. With their only child off in Peru, they decide that just this once, they'll skip the holidays. They spend their Christmas budget on a Caribbean cruise set to sail on December 25, and happily settle in for a restful holiday season free of rooftop snowmen and festive parties. But the Kranks soon learn that their vacation from Christmas isn't much of a vacation at all, and that skipping the holidays has consequences they didn't bargain for...A modern Christmas classic, SKIPPING CHRISTMAS is a charming and hilarious look at the mayhem and madness that have become ingrained in our holiday tradition.'
Debbie H and Joanne made us a delicious Christmas feast of shrimp cocktail, Joanne’s famous water chestnut appetizer (a version of Rumaki), turkey with raspberry sauce, asparagus bundles, horseradish carrots (a special neighborhood recipe- will give yall the recipe in a future blog), make ahead mashed potatoes (I make this recipe all the time!), cat-head biscuits, and coconut Christmas cake.
Joanne’s Famous Water Chestnut Appetizer (everywhere she goes, people request she bring this! It is that good, people!)
1 can (8 oz) whole water chestnuts, quartered
1 pound bacon, slices cut in half
Sauce:
1 cup ketchup
2/3 cup sugar
2 tsp soy sauce
Wrap bacon around chestnuts and secure with toothpicks. Bake in a foil- lined baking sheet at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Take out of greasy pan. Put on clean foil- lined pan and bake until each bacon bundle is crisp and cooked. May need to take off some and cook some longer.
May be frozen at this point, or continue with recipe.
Blend together sauce ingredients. Dip chestnuts in sauce, place on a lined baking sheet, and heat at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
(Joanne says she usually doubles this recipe!!)
Joanne's Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
(I use these every holiday)
8 potatoes, peeled, boiled and mashed
Add 6-8 oz. softened cream cheese, 6-8 oz. sour cream, and 1/2 stick softened butter, salt and pepper to taste. (Get it to the consistency that you like your potatoes).Place in a 2 quart casserole. Refrigerate.
When ready to cook, place in a 350 degree oven , covered, for 45 minutes until warmed through. Garnish with paprika and dot with more butter.
Please try these recipes and let me know what you think- I love feedback!!
Next edition of Dinner and a Book Blog is a real creeeeepy read, but I just love this author- From The Corner Of His Eye by Dean Koontz- don't plan to read it if you are alone in the house...
No comments:
Post a Comment